Thursday, May 30, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Avoid Potholes In These Streets
Any person that drives throughout DC will tell you about how raggedy the streets are in this city. It seems that many of the complaints are about potholes and other traffic annoyances. However, I complain about any and everything that could particularly mangle the undercarriage of my car. My car sits very low to the ground. It's far from a sports car but, it sits like one. Every time I hit a bump, man-hole cover, pothole, dip and any other road blemish, I immediately tense up and curse. The curse word I use depends on how hard I hit something. For yearsssssssssss I have complained to whomever would listen about how terrible the streets are; mostly on deaf ears, until...
Let's go back to around 2010 maybe 2011 when I discovered that the DC Dept. of Transportation was on twitter. (@DDOTDC) I have never been so siced to connect with somebody in my life. At last, a social media line where other people can read about my transportation concerns. I would hope some of my followers would hop on the bandwagon but, I don't think that is happening. As a tax paying resident of the District of Columbia, I have numerous first hand accounts of how negligent the DC government can be. However, for the 1st time since Ive been of age to vote, have I felt like someone was not only listening but, was about resolving the issues I have with this city.
Here's a list of some the transportation concerns I have tweeted to the DC Dept of Transportation
Recently, it seems that the folks at DDOTDC are taking action. Shortly after I tweeted about repaving Minnesota Ave from Pennsylvanian Ave to Good Hope Rd, it was done. The most raggedy parts of Suitland Parkway (DC) were most recently repaved. They are currently repaving Maine Ave. Ive also noticed that most if not all of the potholes I have tweeted about, have been patched up. Now, I am not saying that my tweets were responsible for getting these issues addressed. But, I would like to think even if they weren't; at least DDOT was notified and, are now addressing some of my biggest concerns.
If I were to give a DC govt agency an award it would be to the DC Dept of Transportation. Thank you!!! Trust me, your efforts are not going unnoticed.
***If you're coming into the city via 295 to 395 S - AKA the SE?SW Freeway - you've noticed the new traffic pattern. There is some congestion trying to merge unto the new bridge/ramp that connects to the actual SE/SW freeway. Im sure this is an issue for many of the people who travel this route. For me, I love it. It frees up all of the traffic that used to be on the SE/SW freeway. I can do 60 + from the time I get off the ramp until I have to get off at the Maine Ave exit. Before, it could take up to an hour for me to travel from Minn Ave SE to 20th street. Now it take 30 mins. Today it took less than 30 mins.
Last thing, Now that I'm a commuting pedestrian I have realized the importance of pedestrian safety. So I wanted to thank DDOTDC for installing pedestrian signals throughout the city. & If you are reading this blog, could you check all of these buttons to make sure they work???
Let's go back to around 2010 maybe 2011 when I discovered that the DC Dept. of Transportation was on twitter. (@DDOTDC) I have never been so siced to connect with somebody in my life. At last, a social media line where other people can read about my transportation concerns. I would hope some of my followers would hop on the bandwagon but, I don't think that is happening. As a tax paying resident of the District of Columbia, I have numerous first hand accounts of how negligent the DC government can be. However, for the 1st time since Ive been of age to vote, have I felt like someone was not only listening but, was about resolving the issues I have with this city.
Here's a list of some the transportation concerns I have tweeted to the DC Dept of Transportation
- Repave Ridge RD SE
- Repave Minnesota Ave from PA Ave to Good Hope Rd
- Repave Minnesota Ave from Benning Rd to Nannie Helen Burroughs
- Maine Ave from 395 - right before your get to 17th street
- Repave 12th street NW from Constitution Ave to L Street
- Repave Suitland parkway
- Repave the streets that run through Ft. Dupont Park
- Repave the exit ramp for Pennsylvania Ave from 295 S & N
- H Street Between First & North Capital Street
- Various potholes I notice throughout the city
Recently, it seems that the folks at DDOTDC are taking action. Shortly after I tweeted about repaving Minnesota Ave from Pennsylvanian Ave to Good Hope Rd, it was done. The most raggedy parts of Suitland Parkway (DC) were most recently repaved. They are currently repaving Maine Ave. Ive also noticed that most if not all of the potholes I have tweeted about, have been patched up. Now, I am not saying that my tweets were responsible for getting these issues addressed. But, I would like to think even if they weren't; at least DDOT was notified and, are now addressing some of my biggest concerns.
If I were to give a DC govt agency an award it would be to the DC Dept of Transportation. Thank you!!! Trust me, your efforts are not going unnoticed.
***If you're coming into the city via 295 to 395 S - AKA the SE?SW Freeway - you've noticed the new traffic pattern. There is some congestion trying to merge unto the new bridge/ramp that connects to the actual SE/SW freeway. Im sure this is an issue for many of the people who travel this route. For me, I love it. It frees up all of the traffic that used to be on the SE/SW freeway. I can do 60 + from the time I get off the ramp until I have to get off at the Maine Ave exit. Before, it could take up to an hour for me to travel from Minn Ave SE to 20th street. Now it take 30 mins. Today it took less than 30 mins.
Last thing, Now that I'm a commuting pedestrian I have realized the importance of pedestrian safety. So I wanted to thank DDOTDC for installing pedestrian signals throughout the city. & If you are reading this blog, could you check all of these buttons to make sure they work???
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Turn off the lights - I'm lookin for him too - Maybe, Maybe Not
Lately, I haven't really been in a writing mood... But tonight that's all about to change. I'm back!!! At least for tonight.
Recently, I had a long conversation with my bff. It was a typical conversation about what's going on in our lives. You know, good, old fashioned girl talk. Somehow, we got on the topic about my man pattern... Man pattern - "adj: describes the habitual characteristics of the men in your life"
Recently, I had a long conversation with my bff. It was a typical conversation about what's going on in our lives. You know, good, old fashioned girl talk. Somehow, we got on the topic about my man pattern... Man pattern - "adj: describes the habitual characteristics of the men in your life"
My bff thinks my ideal man looks like this...
Lives here
and drives this
However, my man pattern suggests a guy that looks more like this
give or take a few pounds... give or take a few years... but you get the point (I hope)
lives here with his mom or grandma or aunt or whomever
or
or here if he lives out maryland
He drives
or
I explained to her that the first type of dude just isn't for me... Our personalities just don't mesh well... I'm too normal for him and he's too extra for me. First of all I love gogo... And these types of dudes HATE gogo... They like places like Bar 7. These are the types of dudes who forget they used to win beat your feet contest at the Hot Shoppes. They approach you like you're supposed to give him your number. Nah, I'm good
The dudes who fit my current male pattern just make a better match... One reason is prolly cuz I live around the corner, or down the street lol. Meaning we're not too much different from each other. We can relate... I don't judge them & they don't judge me. Their approach SEEMS more sincere... even though their goals are the same
Now it's really nothing wrong with either types of men... After all we can't help who we like, right??? Well my bff seems to think otherwise and I respect her opinion. I'll try to keep an open mind (I guess) At the end of the day she just wants what's best for me. And who knows, she may be right. But for now... I'm chillin... turn the lights on
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Weight.. Holup... Please don't let me Blow up...
It's been 2 years & 9 months since I decided to lose weight (forreal this time)
. I'm one of those people who has pretty much struggled with my weight all my life. Part lazy... Part I just really love food. I grew up in a home where the words diet & exercise was something that "white people did" I ate whatever my mom cooked whether I liked it or not annnndddd, I had to clean my plate. 
Of course with age comes wisdom and, as an adult, I decided I could no longer be apart of #teamfatandohwell. So, one cold day in March of 2010, I literally woke up & said to myself... "Oh nah, I cannot, will not,, won't not go into my 30's this big." 
Sooooooooo, I got serious (forreal this time)
One of the things that was so helpful, initially, was that I had a partner that was as motivated as I was. That's not to say I haven't had that in the past but, it was different because we lived together. We motivated each other to stay the course. We had similar diets, which made planning meals less daunting and, we went to the gym together for the most part. That partnership was especially important in the beginning.
Another advantage I had this time around was access to a free gym. In addition to my membership at Planet Fitness, I had the luxury of having a gym in my job's bldg. The bonus of that was being able to work out twice a day Mon - Fri. You talk about siced!!!
(This was about 60 days in when I started going to the gym at my job regularly plus working out in the evenings.) The gym used to be dungeon of despair. I hated going to the gym.
Now!!! The gym is a place of solace & I had/have it all to myself on most days. 
It didn't take long at all to see results. At this point, the weight started to literally fall off.
That was the beginning. A lot has happened in those two years & nine months. The way I began is nowhere near where I am now. However, I lost a cool 80 pounds give or take a few. I've also managed to keep most of the weight off somehow.
Changing my lifestyle was hard. Do you kno how hard it is to choose "Total" instead of eggs, breakfast meat, pancakes, grits, & potatoes??? Or, Choosing a lean meat, broccoli w/o cheese, & brown rice, over smothered chicken w/mash potatoes & cornbread??? Water w/lemon instead of soda. Nah, yall prolly don't. But I do & I stillllllllllll struggle with this to some degree lol 
Today, I am somewhat comfortable with my diet and exercise regimen. As a matter of fact I really don't diet anymore. (Unless I wanna fit into my bathing suit). I'm just a lil more aware of the choices I make. For instance, I hardly ever drink soda and juice. At first, I quit drinking alcohol that lasted about a year or less.
I'll prolly quit again in 2013. 
I still go to the gym almost everyday (which is more for maintenance). More importantly, my journey is not over. I'm still a work in progress. My weight loss goals have evolved some since the beginning. The scale is a lil bit in my favor these days and for the most part I believe I can manage this size for the rest of my life. I prolly could stand to lose 10 lbs maybe 15 depending on my mood but f-it. 
I like the way my clothes fit, my butt grew a couple of modest inches, & physically, I'm in the best shape of my life. 
Side note: I am currently seeking a cure for a sweet tooth. It's something about being a woman in her 30's & sweets. When I find it & gain the rights to it, I'll be sure to pass it along.
The Beginning March 2010
April 2010
June 2010
My Bday (October) 2010
March 2011
My Bday 2011
March 2012
My Bday 2012
. I'm one of those people who has pretty much struggled with my weight all my life. Part lazy... Part I just really love food. I grew up in a home where the words diet & exercise was something that "white people did" I ate whatever my mom cooked whether I liked it or not annnndddd, I had to clean my plate. Of course with age comes wisdom and, as an adult, I decided I could no longer be apart of #teamfatandohwell. So, one cold day in March of 2010, I literally woke up & said to myself... "Oh nah, I cannot, will not,, won't not go into my 30's this big." Sooooooooo, I got serious (forreal this time)
One of the things that was so helpful, initially, was that I had a partner that was as motivated as I was. That's not to say I haven't had that in the past but, it was different because we lived together. We motivated each other to stay the course. We had similar diets, which made planning meals less daunting and, we went to the gym together for the most part. That partnership was especially important in the beginning.
Another advantage I had this time around was access to a free gym. In addition to my membership at Planet Fitness, I had the luxury of having a gym in my job's bldg. The bonus of that was being able to work out twice a day Mon - Fri. You talk about siced!!!
(This was about 60 days in when I started going to the gym at my job regularly plus working out in the evenings.) The gym used to be dungeon of despair. I hated going to the gym. Now!!! The gym is a place of solace & I had/have it all to myself on most days.
It didn't take long at all to see results. At this point, the weight started to literally fall off.
That was the beginning. A lot has happened in those two years & nine months. The way I began is nowhere near where I am now. However, I lost a cool 80 pounds give or take a few. I've also managed to keep most of the weight off somehow.
Changing my lifestyle was hard. Do you kno how hard it is to choose "Total" instead of eggs, breakfast meat, pancakes, grits, & potatoes??? Or, Choosing a lean meat, broccoli w/o cheese, & brown rice, over smothered chicken w/mash potatoes & cornbread??? Water w/lemon instead of soda. Nah, yall prolly don't. But I do & I stillllllllllll struggle with this to some degree lol Today, I am somewhat comfortable with my diet and exercise regimen. As a matter of fact I really don't diet anymore. (Unless I wanna fit into my bathing suit). I'm just a lil more aware of the choices I make. For instance, I hardly ever drink soda and juice. At first, I quit drinking alcohol that lasted about a year or less.
I'll prolly quit again in 2013.
I still go to the gym almost everyday (which is more for maintenance). More importantly, my journey is not over. I'm still a work in progress. My weight loss goals have evolved some since the beginning. The scale is a lil bit in my favor these days and for the most part I believe I can manage this size for the rest of my life. I prolly could stand to lose 10 lbs maybe 15 depending on my mood but f-it.
I like the way my clothes fit, my butt grew a couple of modest inches, & physically, I'm in the best shape of my life.
Side note: I am currently seeking a cure for a sweet tooth. It's something about being a woman in her 30's & sweets. When I find it & gain the rights to it, I'll be sure to pass it along.
Visual Aids...
March 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Random Thoughts
Ive noticed that over the years women in my family have gone back to past loves after being separated/divorced for YEARS... So it hit me... When I'm old, I don't wanna have to settle for last option penis... Tis all...
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Pretender???
Not this man bashing, bitter joant post again!!! Sorry not this time... But since writing that blog, I can't help but refer back to the post every chance I get...
For instance, yesterday, Jennifer Hudson & Neyo's song "Act Like a Woman, Think Like a Man" came on the radio. Now I've heard this song a million times but, for some reason Neyo's verse stuck out... Here it is
Now I'm gonna keep it realer with you now that I've ever been We should have never been, girl we was better friends You didn't have to tell me what, where, why and when Ooh why I didn't need it, Cause you wasn't my girlfriend, we had a good thing You would come by and see me, ooh give me that good thang Then after we were finished, You go your way, I go my way, it was whatever Tell me what in the hell makes us Think this wanna gonna be better And now I'm telling you lies, All because I hate to see the tears in your eyes Of course I want my cake, and eat it too, I'm a guy And of course, you don't understand, But you would if you thought like a man in loveDoes this sound like a "pretender" to you or am I reaching???
Saturday, June 23, 2012
For the Shame
On Thursday June 21, 2012, Marygold's hosted a tribute show in honor of Chuck Brown. The bands said to perform were:
Changing Phaces
Project 360
Steel Band
What
Backyard
I had planned on trying to catch every band but, I got there late... I was jy looking forward to this show. BYB & What for only $10!!! Unheard of... I'm not fooling with their poddy on July 3rd so this was perfect...
Arriving at a quarter till one, I was really hoping for ONCE a promoter would be honest & I would avoid any swindleage. To my surprise, there really wasn't a line... (the flyer said no line no wait) I walked straight in & really paid $10!!! So I'm jy ready to poddy & then I got a bomb dropped on me... "BACKYARD IS NOT PLAYING" Yup, I was blown... I woulda felt a lil better about the situation if they had played earlier but, the band pulled out altogether... Don't ask me why? I have a theory tho... I'll get to that later ..
So now I'm stuck with the What Band... You're prolly thinking I'm bouta go in on What but, I'm not... I was pretty pleased with their show & was kinda disappointed it ended so soon. I thought they did a decent job when they covered Chuck Brown. Plus, they hit crystal skate....
Marygold's has to get their bar together... It's gotten to a point where I refuse to buy a drink at their bar... It's rather fluke. How can your bartenders make money if you're so tight with your bar regulations??? Marygold's would be worth the trip if they had a better bar...
Some other sh*t I didn't like:
I heard project 360 pulled out too, like yall can afford to do that lol... I mean maybe you can... Nah you can't lol. I'm sure they had a good reason... >_>
I also heard Steel Band didn't kno the words to run joe... This was like one of CB's biggest hits... WTF, this was supposedly a tribute show. Forgetting/not knowing the words is just unacceptable IMHO.
BYB, BYB, BYB... Iont wanna throw my fav band under the bus, but them not showing up just doesn't sit well with me... I don't know the actual reason but, I kno they have a big show coming up with What @ Ibiza. Tribute show or not, I could see the disadvantage of playing with What before then. Not to mention none of the bands performing were paid.cuz it was for Charity & maybe their management didn't feel like it was worth it... However, as a fan none of this even matters to me... No shows are never a good look...
And on that note, I'm out....
Changing Phaces
Project 360
Steel Band
What
Backyard
I had planned on trying to catch every band but, I got there late... I was jy looking forward to this show. BYB & What for only $10!!! Unheard of... I'm not fooling with their poddy on July 3rd so this was perfect...
Arriving at a quarter till one, I was really hoping for ONCE a promoter would be honest & I would avoid any swindleage. To my surprise, there really wasn't a line... (the flyer said no line no wait) I walked straight in & really paid $10!!! So I'm jy ready to poddy & then I got a bomb dropped on me... "BACKYARD IS NOT PLAYING" Yup, I was blown... I woulda felt a lil better about the situation if they had played earlier but, the band pulled out altogether... Don't ask me why? I have a theory tho... I'll get to that later ..
So now I'm stuck with the What Band... You're prolly thinking I'm bouta go in on What but, I'm not... I was pretty pleased with their show & was kinda disappointed it ended so soon. I thought they did a decent job when they covered Chuck Brown. Plus, they hit crystal skate....
Marygold's has to get their bar together... It's gotten to a point where I refuse to buy a drink at their bar... It's rather fluke. How can your bartenders make money if you're so tight with your bar regulations??? Marygold's would be worth the trip if they had a better bar...
Some other sh*t I didn't like:
I heard project 360 pulled out too, like yall can afford to do that lol... I mean maybe you can... Nah you can't lol. I'm sure they had a good reason... >_>
I also heard Steel Band didn't kno the words to run joe... This was like one of CB's biggest hits... WTF, this was supposedly a tribute show. Forgetting/not knowing the words is just unacceptable IMHO.
BYB, BYB, BYB... Iont wanna throw my fav band under the bus, but them not showing up just doesn't sit well with me... I don't know the actual reason but, I kno they have a big show coming up with What @ Ibiza. Tribute show or not, I could see the disadvantage of playing with What before then. Not to mention none of the bands performing were paid.cuz it was for Charity & maybe their management didn't feel like it was worth it... However, as a fan none of this even matters to me... No shows are never a good look...
And on that note, I'm out....
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